Contests

Okay...I finally DID IT! I submitted my prologue & first chapter into a contest. A friend who is published suggested I at least try 2 contests, The Molly and The Dixie ~ First Chapter. There have been many debates and opinions regarding contests - the pros and cons. My reasons against consisted mostly of the fact that it is an expensive critique. I finally broke down and submitted because I am interested in what others outside of my critique group have to say. RAH is a very talented, intelligent and creative group of gals, but I am almost ready to submit to a publisher and would like all possible eyes to tell me if I am ready.

Which brings me to a con. One of the complaints I've often heard is the variance of critiques between judges. But The Dixie contest has a specific plan in place for this problem. Contest participants are required to submit an extra copy of the ms for disparity judging if needed. What bothers me is wondering how qualified the initial judges are. Are they published? Does that matter? I don't think so. But it is still an expensive critique.

So. I decided to at least try a few, just on the chance that if I final I can use the info as a reference in my query letters. I am scared to death to do a bio in my queries and simply say...well I want to be published because it is my dream. Yeah, me and hundreds of thousands of other people.

So. Here goes.